A modified approach to comments

As our traffic continues to climb (we had more than 45 million page views in September 2010, up from 31 million in September 2009), we’re wading through more and more comments.

And we realize that the reader experience for many of you includes reading the comments. We’re therefore trying to separate the cream from the crap, and we’re going to start blocking and banning commenters who use profanity or whose posts contain comments that we regard as inappropriate, due to racist, homophobic, misogynistic, or other unacceptable content, as determined solely at our discretion.

We can’t promise to catch everyone, and if you get banned don’t send e-mails complaining that others have said worse. Plenty of people drive their cars faster than the speed limit, and not all of them get tickets.

So this is the fair warning. We’re hoping to class up the commenting process, and we’ll do it by dumping one commenter at a time.

Finally, please don’t bother to threaten to never return to the site if we don’t un-ban you. The commenters represent a very small percentage of the total audience. Besides, most people who have threatened to never return keep coming back, primarily since they’ve already paid for the subscription.

You should make an exception if what someone says is really really funny. (j/k sheesh)

bonecity7 says:Oct 5, 2010 9:26 AM

PFT/Mike,
THANK YOU!!!!!!! The troll percentage was getting way too high!! It’ll be nice to read REASONABLE comments and, perhaps, be able to have civil discussions about topics in here!!
Thanks again!!

Nobe says:Oct 5, 2010 9:27 AM

Clap, clap, clap. Finally, Florio!!
Thank you.

Richm2257 says:Oct 5, 2010 9:28 AM

While long overdue, this will end entertaining comments as we knew them, a very fun part of ProFootballTalk.
About to get as exciting as cardboard here.

Dayton Dolfan says:Oct 5, 2010 9:28 AM

good policy. only question, what is the site going to do without any Jet fans being able to comment?

Craphonso says:Oct 5, 2010 9:28 AM

Been visiting this site for quite awhile and have noticed that the comments have really gotten out of hand, especially the homophobic remarks. Glad to see this happen now.

turkeyfunk says:Oct 5, 2010 9:30 AM

florio, you are a genius and i agree with every post you have ever written. i promise to only swear out loud at the screen when reading PFT and not in any of my comments…

DuluthFan says:Oct 5, 2010 9:30 AM

Bravo…long overdue.

Floridacock says:Oct 5, 2010 9:31 AM

We pay for this? Don’t remember that

PhillyLawyer says:Oct 5, 2010 9:33 AM

Sounds perfectly legal to me. That’s my professional opinion.

Mighty B says:Oct 5, 2010 9:34 AM

That would be cool if you took the same approach with articles too.
Jason Whitlock would be perma-banned.

Wellsee says:Oct 5, 2010 9:34 AM

This is great news, thank you.

whenharrywetsally says:Oct 5, 2010 9:35 AM

And with Darren’s help, PFT will get that chicken…..

Fidelito says:Oct 5, 2010 9:35 AM

Thank you. The only good online communities for commenting ban the crap out of all those with trollish qualities.

Bdrunk says:Oct 5, 2010 9:35 AM

Yeah. So watch your language DEB!!
j/k

Chapnasty. says:Oct 5, 2010 9:35 AM

I would like to say I support this decision. As someone who has literally gone through 5 different screen names I applaud the move. The cursing, racism and other nonsense needs to go so people like me can continue to get paid 8 hours a day to rag on fans of other teams.

SF Saints Fan says:Oct 5, 2010 9:37 AM

This is overdue.
Thanks Mike.

cbrianwatkins says:Oct 5, 2010 9:37 AM

We’re therefore trying to separate the cream from the crap, and we’re going to start blocking and banning commenters who use profanity or whose posts contain comments that we regard as inappropriate, due to racist, homophobic, misogynistic, or other unacceptable content, as determined solely at our discretion
————————————————–
so i’m assuming (i know, i shouldnt assume), that cheap shots about your hair piece, Gregg’s age, the horrible proofreading (or lack thereof) etc etc will be discretionary? and up for banishment?
also, one request? can you guys also ban the idiots who can’t help themselves to bring up politics into football discussions? (one could only hope i guess)

ChicagoJo says:Oct 5, 2010 9:37 AM

subscription? People pay for this site?
That’s like tipping the obnoxious homer at the bar on your way out the door

ncsteeler says:Oct 5, 2010 9:37 AM

Could you also ban: your grammar is imperfect; this column is boring; you shouldn’t have written a column on this topic; I’m the first to comment; etc?

WhySoSerious says:Oct 5, 2010 9:37 AM

This means that all posts regarding the Cowboys will have 7-9 comments and thats it.

OldDominionRedskins says:Oct 5, 2010 9:39 AM

I’m OK with this new system. Although I myself am a relatively new commenter on PFT, I have been reading for some time before registering, and sometimes you really have to wade through an ocean of drivel in the comments sections.
BUT I hope this doesn’t mean commenters can’t express their criticisms of PFT. The last thing PFT needs is the commenters to become sycophants. That wouldn’t be good for any blog.

Robj says:Oct 5, 2010 9:39 AM

I definitely hope to see less racism and vulgarity around here.

SaintsBucsPanthersSUKK says:Oct 5, 2010 9:40 AM

Will you block commenters that profess an undying devotion to the Almighty Albert Haynesworth and his immense on field talent and entertaining off the field shenanigans?
For an entire month again?;)

Raider Redleg says:Oct 5, 2010 9:41 AM

Posted by Mike Florio on October 5, 2010 9:21 AM ET
And we realize that the reader experience for many of you includes reading the comments. We’re therefore trying to separate the cream from the crap, and we’re going to start blocking and banning commenters who use profanity or whose posts contain comments that we regard as inappropriate, due to racist, homophobic, misogynistic, or other unacceptable content, as determined solely at our discretion.
————————————————–
Great idea!
Now just hold yourself, Rosenthall and Silva to that same standard (i.e. separate the “cream” from the “crap”) and you will GREATLY improve the site for both diehard football fans and casual observers alike.
As a Raider fan that read some of the “crap” that people posted after Raider legend Jack Tatum died I agree that not all comments posted on PFT deserve to see the light of day.

Brewster says:Oct 5, 2010 9:43 AM

“and we’re going to start blocking and banning commenters who use profanity”
_______________________
How about a definition of what constitutes profanity?
And it’s not that you or we will know it when we see it.

Pier588 says:Oct 5, 2010 9:48 AM

Old PFT had the easy answer to cutting down on the written comments – bad or otherwise.
Bring back the old “comment ratings” feature and see if that doesn’t cut traffic.
Now I will anxiously wait to see if this comment makes the “new PFT” written comment grade or not.
Or will this get me banned because I keep mentioning that Florio has yet to make good his July 1, 2009 promise to “bring back the comment ratings”.

JeffC says:Oct 5, 2010 9:48 AM

good idea, let’s see if it keeps the knucklheads away

prmpft says:Oct 5, 2010 9:48 AM

…i’m with you on that – kinda about time to let the trash(y) talkers talk to each other somewhere else…

Joe says:Oct 5, 2010 9:49 AM

thats good it sucks having to read all the BS to get to some decent comments about football.

TrueFan says:Oct 5, 2010 9:50 AM

Long overdue. While the ability to “comment” is the only reason some people come to any blog/site, it has gotten beyond anyting adult.
The comments at times sound like a Jr high locker room, and limiting the kind of content you intend to will make it more readable for me.
Now.. if you could come up with technology that would automatically ban for life anybody who boethers to post how stupid the authors are, that would be great.

ADogDC says:Oct 5, 2010 9:50 AM

Wow…..Welcome to the North Korean Internet!

Opie says:Oct 5, 2010 9:55 AM

“we’re going to start blocking and banning commenters who use profanity or whose posts contain comments that we regard as inappropriate, due to racist, homophobic, misogynistic, or other unacceptable content, as determined solely at our discretion.”
_________________________________
Can you be a bit less ambiguous re: unacceptable content, as determined solely at our discretion?
Will we still be able to criticize Mr. Rosenthal for his grammatical instabilities? Mr. Florio for his misquotes? MDS for…..well, being MDS?!?
Or will this post get expunged?
__________________________________
On another note, I guess it was due. It only takes one , or several, to ruin a good thing!

wivikesfan says:Oct 5, 2010 9:55 AM

Kudos… there is a lot of hate and venom on this site and I’m glad to hear some of it will be cleaned up. People all of a sudden feel no accountability for the awful things they say if they do it over the internet…

ArtModellsPimp says:Oct 5, 2010 9:59 AM

Why are you trying to ruin things by classing them up, Florio?
If people wanted “class,” they wouldn’t be spending billions of dollars every year at McDonalds and WalMart, now would they? No…they wouldn’t. PFT is quickly becoming a low-rent version of ESPN the website. Sad, but true.
But, then again, why should you give a shit, Mike? You sold out to NBC, right? That included your soul, I’m sure, and now the payment’s come due. PFT stopped being significant when you dropped the comment “ratings” from the site. It was self-policing. Now, instead, we get threats. Fun times ahead…
I’ll tell you what. How about I ban you first?
Yep…that’s the ticket…..

Everybody Loves Mike Florio says:Oct 5, 2010 10:00 AM

Yeah, I’ve noticed that about 85% of the comments on here are about someone misspelling something, be it Florio, Rosenthal, or another poster. Personally, I find those comments a lot more annoying than the profane ones. Also, since you’re gonna be trimming down the comments, is there any way you can post them more quickly?

BigBear123 says:Oct 5, 2010 10:01 AM

Can check out ESPN if you want to read through 20 comments for one good one. PFT was sliding down that slippery slope, but considering you actually have to read through the comments before publishing I feel bad for you.

MushroomCloudMoFo says:Oct 5, 2010 10:02 AM

This is long overdue. As it stands now, I can feel my IQ drop every time I read your reader’s comments.

Gordon-Geico-Gekko says:Oct 5, 2010 10:03 AM

Well that’s all fine and good, but why do you intentionally censor posts that completely refute what you’ve written?
Like the other day you posted an article implying Roethlisberger’s teammates wouldn’t welcome him back – there are a bunch is complaints in that thread that you refused to publish articles to the contrary.
What’s the story on that?
Are you also censoring comments that make you look foolish?

CJ says:Oct 5, 2010 10:04 AM

So by “modified” you really mean “completely contrary to everything we’ve done in the past?”
Ok by me.
Also, I guess we can formally say goodbye to Rex Ryan on here. It’s been fun! If you want to stick around, seek out some counseling with Tony Dungy, I hear he’s great at this sorta thing. Let’s call it, um, linguistics therapy or something.

east96street. says:Oct 5, 2010 10:05 AM

“other unacceptable content, as determined solely at our discretion.”
Fine. But wouldn’t it make everyone’s life so much easier if you just set forth simple guidelines? You spend hours writing stuff that no one cares about and you can’t spend ten minutes constructing guidelines? Plus, the “banned” thing is futile. You have banned dozens of guys who come right back and write the same crap under a different name. All you accomplish is making them sign up again. This is what? Your seventh announcement (or more) in three years that you’re going to ban people? Has it stopped the behavior yet? Ride on, Don Quixote, ride on. I admire your goals, but question your methods and I am amazed that you fail to see the lack of results.

roboninja says:Oct 5, 2010 10:07 AM

Not a fan of banning “profanity”, but getting rid of the racist and homophobic drivel will be welcome. The main problems are posts that do nothing but make bad puns degrading teams and players, adding nothing to the conversation.

lawofmurphy says:Oct 5, 2010 10:09 AM

It’s a decent step in the right direction…some kind of rating system for comments would be great too…like there was in the old days.
I pretty much stopped commenting here cause the quality of the discussion went from *okay* to absolute poo. Hopefully other intelligent commenters come back as well.

Kegowhiskey says:Oct 5, 2010 10:12 AM

This may be a good idea. Although I ultimately dismissed it as a waste of time, I almost wrote you recently about the mentality and brutality of some of your commenters who don’t read and fully comprehend a comment before lambasting it. I also hope you won’t take umbrage and start banning people for making comments that dissent with yours – I think that only makes your site more interesting. One question: Will you notify people when they’ve crossed the line and been banned, or will they just one day not be able to comment and wonder what the heck happened?

Diomedes says:Oct 5, 2010 10:16 AM

as determined solely at our discretion.
Long overdue, and this is exactly the way to do it. The site is yours, run it how you want. People don’t like it, they can go elsewhere.

wtf_seriously says:Oct 5, 2010 10:19 AM

Oh, so THAT’S where SomeFans and KoaMisiFan went. We were all wondering….
Does this mean the “Rex Ryan is fat” jokes will be cut? I haven’t seen a new one in quite a while, and never read one that was funny, so no loss there.
The Packers vs. Vikings posts get pretty brutal. They made the Jets/Dolphins posts look like “nanny nanny poo poo” grade school taunting.

FoozieGrooler says:Oct 5, 2010 10:19 AM

I find it ironic that you want to censor comments that you, more often than not, instigated in the first place.

GreenAsGrass says:Oct 5, 2010 10:23 AM

Good move Mike and can you please ban any posters who make the MOST insensitive comments regarding player etc… who lose loved ones please.

TT+3 says:Oct 5, 2010 10:27 AM

They came for the Loyalists…and we did nothing.
They came for the Socialists…and we did nothing.
They came for the Christians…and we did nothing.
They came for the Jews…and we did nothing.
They came for the Jet Fans…and we did nothing.
Then they came for me…and there was nobody left to do anything…
orrrrr…it goes something like that!
RIP First amendment.

ohandsixteenforever says:Oct 5, 2010 10:28 AM

I dig it. I understand you want to separate the “cream from the crap” but to be honest with you, once the two are mixed together, it doesn’t matter what extent you go to separate them, I still don’t want that cream.

RaiderMight says:Oct 5, 2010 10:29 AM

Does this mean that comments will make it to the site faster?

chargerrich says:Oct 5, 2010 10:29 AM

“also, one request? can you guys also ban the idiots who can’t help themselves to bring up politics into football discussions? (one could only hope i guess)”
Yeah and Religous topics… right Florio? Richard Tillman says hello.

Florios'Lawyer says:Oct 5, 2010 10:29 AM

Most of the articles written here are total FLAME-BAIT, designed to generate these kinds of comments (not to mention page-hits).
Perhaps you might try to write articles that are more, you know, OBJECTIVE?

hammers says:Oct 5, 2010 10:31 AM

Will you also be banning comments that don’t fall in line with your liberal, progressive world view? I’m thinking of the Limbaugh/Rams ownership story from way back…

ejtowne says:Oct 5, 2010 10:32 AM

I love this idea. One thing that keeps me from scrolling down after reading an article is having to read the “crap” posted by some of the readers of PFT. Looking forward to being able to read everything. Thank you.

Rhode Island Patriots Fan says:Oct 5, 2010 10:33 AM

This is long overdue. ProFootballTalk is arguably the best site on the internet for American football. The commentary is extensive, well-written, well-reasoned (except, of course, when it’s directed against the New England Patriots), and occasionally even witty.
Fan passion for football is healthy, but it occasionally appeals to the not-so-better angles of our nature. I instead choose to save my vulgarities for the TV.
The way to win this game is with logical, thoughtful, and courteous posts.
P.S. You may want to consider showcasing this new policy more prominently on the site.
P.P.S. This is not a paid endorsement, and my name is not Mike Florio.

tj.52 says:Oct 5, 2010 10:34 AM

At long last!
Mr. Florio, your scholarly edification of this glorious site is an indubitable action!
If only my exuberance wasn’t tempered with the compasion I feel for all the Steeler and Jets faithful as they, through phonics, proceed to comprehend the context of your post and slowly realize that their whimsical ponderings will no longer be allowed.
So long Deb, Frank and all the others who for so long have taught us that though education is indeed a sign of intellect, literacy does not a literati make.
Cheerios,
TJ

CT Pats Fan says:Oct 5, 2010 10:34 AM

Great news! Hopefully the Trolls will take their business elsewhere.

Blackbeard says:Oct 5, 2010 10:34 AM

Can we ban the comments in the so-called news stories also…LOL

kravon says:Oct 5, 2010 10:37 AM

First, Im glad to see that this site has become so popular.
Second, its time we credit Bob Costas for making it so popular because we all know when he recommends something the people listen.
Thanks Bobby!!
Kravon
PFT Charter Member

Raiders757 says:Oct 5, 2010 10:37 AM

I think this is rather lame. All comments good or bad should be posted. It’s what makes this site so interesting at times. Sure, a lot of people come to this site and never leave a comment, but you can bet they spend more time reading them than they do the articles.
I know a lot of people who come to this site and never comment. Thing is, they claim the the comments, good and bad, are what draws them here more than anything else. Not the articles or information, as that can be found on any other site. It’s the community that attracts people here, not Florio and Gregg’s biased copy and paste articles with unfunny ramblings at the end.
I’m not saying this isn’t a good one stop place to get NFL info, but if there were no comment section at all, the traffic on this site would come to a crawl, and NBC would have no need to continue it;s support of PFT.

Panda_Claus says:Oct 5, 2010 10:37 AM

Seriously, how can this be interpreted as anything but good news by most people?
Long overdue, and I’m sure there may be a cost factor involved (slower comment posts for example), but this is a good step forward for PFT nation.

imabigdog says:Oct 5, 2010 10:40 AM

Sad day for the PFT readers who where around in the beginning. A Highlight of the of the comments sections was the originality of the comments. Where some racist, homophobic, misogynistic? Sure, but more on the stereotype level then the insulting level. If PFT is going to block comments that contain vulgar or derogatory words, than yes it is the right thing to do. But if the ban entails banning “…not that there is anything wrong with that” (Seinfeld Homosexual reference) than all this has become is a save you’re a$$ corporate blog.
June 14th 2009 – On the Takeover by merger with NBC “Some things will change. But the content, the tone, the attitude, the subject matter, and the overall philosophy of the site will not change — in the short term or in the long term.”
Lets see—-
Gone is the Turd Watch game. Which, I’m sure by coincidence, disappeared on July 1 2009. Hmmm… what else happened that day in PFT history????
I don’t seem to remember a whole lot of Olympic coverage for the ’08 games in China (nor could I find any in the PFT archive), but we sure got our fill of Olympic overage in ’10. Hmmmm what could have happened in between those 2 games?http://archive.profootballtalk.com/about.htm
Mike, read the first line of the 3rd paragraph and can you honestly say that is true today?
WHAT HAPPEN??

house of glass says:Oct 5, 2010 10:42 AM

Having a bad morning florio? Not that it matters b/c this profile will probably also be banned and my comment will never see the light of day.
I just realized I was banned for saying a bad word that equated to bodily function # 2. Fart jokes are ok but #2 is bad, ok, got it now. Oh maybe making fun of your numerous typo-s on the power rankings also had something to do with it….This is your living, it has turned you into a fat cat. If you don’t have the ability proof your content first, then I don’t know what to tell ya.
On a side note, I agree on banning people b/c I’ve left a total of maybe 12 comments in 4-5 years, so this has no real affect on me. I’ll live. I would change my home page to something other than PFT but since I’m only 1 of 45 miiiiiiilllllliiiiiiooooon, that wouldn’t accomplish much any way. Maybe I’ll change it to the UFL.

SJ Apollo says:Oct 5, 2010 10:45 AM

“RIP First amendment.”
If this was a government-run football news/rumor website, then this is a first amendment issue.
The real discussion becomes how will Viking fans avoid the topic of their soon to be 1-3 record or their quarterback’s sub-Rick Mirer-like numbers if they can’t hurl homophobic slurs at any unmarried members of Wisconsin football teams?

Bordner says:Oct 5, 2010 10:50 AM

And can you also ban people for constantly recycling the old, hacked-out, unorginal comments that were never really funny to begin with? Like, someone going with, “Cue the… (blah, blah, blah)” everytime they see an article that they think will set off a certain fan base? It wasn’t funny the first time, it wasn’t funny the next 10,000 times, so what makes them think it will be funny this time? It’s just the same lame, boring garbage over and over. Those types of comments need to stop.
Except the ones about the Queens moving to LA. Those never get old!

CJ SPILLER says:Oct 5, 2010 10:52 AM

Can I take a modified approach that Terry Bradshaw still walks the streets today?

halestorm74 says:Oct 5, 2010 10:52 AM

Hey Mike! What happened to your boy Ray Rice?

OutyVikes says:Oct 5, 2010 10:52 AM

Florio……Nice job on your website……There are commenters on here that need to get a life…..I listen to you weekly on KFAN in Minneapolis with PA, fantastic. I am tired of wasting my time reading comments from people who, for some reason think that their opinion of you is needed. You do a great job and hope more success in the future for you and your site. Thanks for trying to weed out some of these losers. Maybe they should shut their trap and develop their own site, if they are so smart. Some of us actually like what you write and use it in our Fantasy Leagues. Keep it up.
Thanks again Mike……

SJ Apollo says:Oct 5, 2010 10:52 AM

“RIP First amendment.”
If this was a government-run football news/rumor website, then this is a first amendment issue.
The real discussion becomes how will Viking fans avoid the topic of their soon to be 1-3 record or their quarterback’s sub-Rick Mirer-like numbers if they can’t hurl homophobic slurs at any unmarried members of Wisconsin football teams?

Jackson says:Oct 5, 2010 10:53 AM

Mike, if you really truly want to ban someone you have to ban their IP address. otherwise they will just register under a new user name.
having guidelines or rules as mentioned before would help as well.

mrzazz41387 says:Oct 5, 2010 10:54 AM

Now by inappropriate comments, does that include us saying how horrible you guys are, and how little you know? I mean if we don’t remind you how wrong you guys usually are, then who will? We know all of you PFT guys share the same brain.

Stevie The Wiz says:Oct 5, 2010 10:54 AM

Don’t Tase me BRO…….I want to comment and promise not to keep calling out Somefans and koaMissiFan as trolls who have no life and live in their Mom’s basement while wetting their bed and sucking their thumbs while wearing superman and aqua-man pajamas……………….Oh forget it just ban me now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tinbender says:Oct 5, 2010 10:55 AM

When I first started posting on this site I would use symbols like s%&t or a@#clown, but noticed nobody else did, so I got lazy and used uncensored profanity like everyone else. It felt uncomfortable at first as this was the only blog a person could get away with it, but I got used to it figuring we’re all adults here. But I suppose a little civility won’t hurt things too much, and are the symbolic cuss words still O.K.?

T3d Strik3r says:Oct 5, 2010 10:55 AM

Florio says: “We’re hoping to class up the commenting process, and we’ll do it by dumping one commenter at a time.”
——————-
Tremendous idea, perhaps a bit overdue.
But while you’re at it, Florio, you should try classing up some of your commentary as well.

skoliotic says:Oct 5, 2010 10:59 AM

We promise to stop the bad comments when you stop the religious sermons!
Just sayin. I never commented on it because it started to get bad. I just didnt think this was the proper forum for it, just like when commenters start to make jokes about your family. Not the place for it, if there even is one.
Please encourage reasonable discussion about FOOTBALL. Not just ‘oh yeah the jags are gonna get killed’. thats just boring to hear. and happened to be untrue.

3 yards and a cloud says:Oct 5, 2010 11:02 AM

If theres one thing that always works its unfettered discretion…
I don’t really mind the change, those claiming death of the First Amendment, pipe down, you clearly have no actual understanding of what the First Amendment means or how it applies.
I’m glad some of the trash be cleaned up, but I hope you will still allow dissenters to be heard. We will see I guess.

Richm2257 says:Oct 5, 2010 11:02 AM

Now that I think about it, Mike, why is this even necessary?
Comments are submitted for approval, so if you ever found a comment that was disturbing or distatseful, why would you even allow it to be posted in the first place??????

NE#12 says:Oct 5, 2010 11:04 AM

Does that mean no more Ben rapelisberger jokes? What about stabby ray ray?

Kevin from Philly says:Oct 5, 2010 11:04 AM

May as well change the PFT logo colors to gray and off-gray. This site will eventually be MMQB. Any amusing travel anecdotes today, Mike? How’s your coffee?

FireJerryJones says:Oct 5, 2010 11:07 AM

You should have just started doing it.
Telling people this is going to make them scream when they think you should have censored something…
Evan Silva’s comments should be erased.
Glad 100% of my subscription goes to pay his salary.

slutnuts says:Oct 5, 2010 11:09 AM

does this mean i have to change my user name?

Floriohatescincy says:Oct 5, 2010 11:09 AM

Please also ban writers who insist on using their public platform to “confuse” folks who have not completed their “spiritual journey” (read; “found god,” no other options for the end of a spiritual journey) What a joke, way to rep your wage masters.

Mosi says:Oct 5, 2010 11:11 AM

Just add some functionality to your crappy message boards. Let people thumbs up and down, like on Youtube, and self-moderate. You’ll get some people blocking others just because they don’t like what they are saying, but then your board moderator just looks at the posts that are reported instead of all of them, and decided. Allow us to report these schmucks!
Oh, crap, is “schmuck” on the banned list!
Anyway, I’m all for this. Oh, and can you please help a brother out and put “Belicheat” on the swear list? I’m so tired of that.

allinSTACKme says:Oct 5, 2010 11:11 AM

Please ban any heterophobic comments as well please. You know, like “damn straight,” or “straight shootin,” or “straight as an arrow.”

shaunypoo says:Oct 5, 2010 11:18 AM

Can we also have a little more depth for the posters. I would like to know what team any individual roots for and would also like the comments rating system back. Maybe a counter to show the number of comments a person has made.
I would prefer enlightened discussion, but then I wouldn’t come here, would I?

PkrNboro says:Oct 5, 2010 11:20 AM

32 teams means that any fan has 31 enemies.
Sorry if this seems strongly worded, but if the past decades have taught us anything its that sportsmanship is out the window.
I never came to this site looking for love. One reason I came here was to have a voice, albeit a small one. I understood that everyone else had that same opportunity. Now that reason is gone.
The main reason I came here was for the comments — which IMO have been way better than the articles, by far. Granted, you have to sift-through/ignore many.
My visits to the site have decreased in the past weeks, since an article by Rosenthal. He mentioned a backup runner, that had 600yds on a 100 carries per week. The obvious mistake resulted in the FUNNIEST comments I have ever seen. Many readers can’t relate because the article was corrected, and the posts were deleted. That was pretty creepy, on many fronts.
Does anyone know how to delete their PFT account — short of a “racist, homophobic, misogynistic” comment ?

Falcon in NE says:Oct 5, 2010 11:20 AM

@EverybodygotAIDS
“You manage to come across as paternalistic and give a middle finger to your most loyal viewers. Why don’t you just go for the trifecta and burn an American flag?”
How is asking people to be unvulgar, non-racist, and non-homophobic paternalistic or as you suggest un-American? If my readers were a bunch of sophomoric, gay hating, racists I’d not be worried about offending them either. I’d be more worried if they were agreeing with me.

Tony Romo's Faggy Hat says:Oct 5, 2010 11:25 AM

Peace out AttackRaven.

CowboysFansAreAllBandwagonFans says:Oct 5, 2010 11:25 AM

I’d rather you let everything through as opposed to pick and choose..
A lot of the stupid comments are the funniest.
Seems to me either the upper management at NBC got ahold of you.. or you’ve turned into the PC police..
either way…. it sucks.

rusty says:Oct 5, 2010 11:25 AM

Wow Florio! You spend 4 weeks with Dungy and you are already holier than thou.

Huskersrock says:Oct 5, 2010 11:29 AM

As long as we can still insult Florio.

Profanity in ALL CAPS says:Oct 5, 2010 11:29 AM

people actually read the comments before they are posted?

Profanity in ALL CAPS says:Oct 5, 2010 11:30 AM

Why can’t everybody just be nice and friendly?
/crying

Madeira says:Oct 5, 2010 11:35 AM

“RIP First amendment.”
It protects you from punishment by law, not criticism or censorship. You can say something offensive or stupid and not go to jail for it, but the first amendment does not protect you from criticism from others or censorship by the owner of the platform your statements are published on.
It’s amazing how people get this wrong. There is a serious education problem in this country.

.fanball58 says:Oct 5, 2010 11:37 AM

Interesting reading – does this only apply to PFT? How come there isn’t a similar post on CFT yet?
PFT used to have comment ratings; that had to have helped keep the written comments down in the good old days before Florio sold his soul to NBC. (I hope those aren’t “banishment words”.)
Try bringing back comment ratings as a first step in reducing the written word on PFT, Florio – unless that just makes too much sense. Then, feel free to continue to ignore any suggestions about said comment ratings, something that has been missing from PFT/CFT way too long.

Flyingelvislogosucksbringbackpatpatriot says:Oct 5, 2010 11:37 AM

I guess NBC has spoken even though Florio won’t admit it.

Iron Mike Tyson says:Oct 5, 2010 11:37 AM

Did somebody hurt your feelings mikey?

PatMatson says:Oct 5, 2010 11:40 AM

Gordon-Geico-Gekko says:
October 5, 2010 10:03 AM
Well that’s all fine and good, but why do you intentionally censor posts that completely refute what you’ve written?
Like the other day you posted an article implying Roethlisberger’s teammates wouldn’t welcome him back – there are a bunch is complaints in that thread that you refused to publish articles to the contrary.
What’s the story on that?
Are you also censoring comments that make you look foolish?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Somebody drop by Gordon’s house and make sure he hasn’t been taken away.
Are you going to tell people what gets them banned, or is it one of those “disappear into the night” kind of things

MrExcite says:Oct 5, 2010 11:41 AM

If for no other reason than entertainment value to the commenters themselves, can we please be provided with a “BANNED” list of names, and what they were banned for ?
Will we be permitted to appeal to a higher authority . . . say . . . Joe Brocato ?
Will the banning be in stages, like a warning with a scarlett letter next to your user name ?
Will personal attacks on you hair or wardrobe result in a banning ?
Can you provide a Ten Commandments of Posting, ie; Thou Shall Not Post Terry Bradshaw’s Death ?
I’ve got more questions, but for now, I get the idea . . .

VonClausewitz says:Oct 5, 2010 11:42 AM

I agree with Richm2257. What’s the point of censoring after your original censoring? The only reason I envision why this is necessary is if PFT wants to allow 3rd parties (meaning the league, sponsors or anyone else PFT is beholden to) to filter out what they don’t like. Why not just admit this site is no longer about allowing open dialogue and is instead about echoing the opinions of your masters?

Borg30 says:Oct 5, 2010 11:42 AM

Great News Mike..
also to note, Michael Kay from espn has been mentioning your website as well.

Startled Armadillo says:Oct 5, 2010 11:43 AM

Can there be a “Tebow Exception”? Because honestly, my favorite part about the comments on this site are the ones in the Tebow articles, and I would really miss those…

hockref says:Oct 5, 2010 11:46 AM

Good 1st step.
Can we get one more step?
Let those of us who get to 100+ comments comment without getting screened unless someone flags or complains about our comments. Waiting for my comments to be “approved” takes a lot of the fun out of posting!

Goetta-Head says:Oct 5, 2010 11:51 AM

I want a thread where everyone say what they do for a living, I think we may find some trends

Tinbender says:Oct 5, 2010 11:54 AM

One thing I will not miss are the racist comments. I grew up in Oakland, one of the most diverse cities in the world, and am glad I did. If I was racist I would not have enjoyed my relationships with many of my girlfriends throughout life who were of all races. I would hate myself for being part white and part Americian Indian ( Proud to be a Mohawk ! ) :=) Whether it’s because of where they grew up or what they learned at home, racist Suck, and make me sick to my stomach.

nedirect says:Oct 5, 2010 11:56 AM

Memory isn’t what it used to be but when NBC took ove this is exactly what Florio said would not happen.

lawboy2000 says:Oct 5, 2010 12:06 PM

Mike Vick and Ben Roethlisberger thank you.

dakotah says:Oct 5, 2010 12:07 PM

Nice start, but until Florio is banned this site will continue to su…uh, be substandard.

ProfessorEmmitt says:Oct 5, 2010 12:09 PM

First, Taco Bill gets the boot, and now the comments section has one foot out the door. Yes, the merger with NBC was truly what everyone wanted (drip drip). It’s a game Florio, fans are gonna be fans, stop acting as if any comment made here matters…..

steamrod says:Oct 5, 2010 12:09 PM

Who reads this site for anything but the comments? Without them, what’s left? The insightful news articles? I bet you also read playboy for the articles.

chitown26 says:Oct 5, 2010 12:20 PM

I knew this was coming.
Saw it from a mile away.
Lots of Florio bashing – he’s had enough and is gonna toss it now.
Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

LuvThatDirtyWatah says:Oct 5, 2010 12:20 PM

We need a LIKE button.
NBC sensoring? Don’t say anything negative about Barry Soetoro, AKA Barack Obama, folks or you’ll be banned for life.

stiller43 says:Oct 5, 2010 12:22 PM

This affect those 90 comments where people made suicide cracks both about Dungy’s son and Kenny McKinley recently?
I agree with the not allowing blatantly racist, homophobic, etc. comments, but it seems now you’re going to censor wayyy to much. Congrats on the NBC thing, but not all changes are for the best…

Saints-America'sTeam says:Oct 5, 2010 12:23 PM

This is a an interesting concept. “Banning” for “racist, homophobic, misogynistic, or other unacceptable content” is a great idea. I’m not sure how you do such a thing without reading every single one of these comments to find references to someone’s mama, or gayness, or race, but I like the idea.
I comment regularly on nola.com/saints and the oft-times drivel-ridden comments on PFT just don’t compare to the fan analysis you will see on the nola site. Really folks. You can analyze and learn by reading and posting what you saw or think you saw without trashing another opinion. How does it serve anyone to call names, say and wish horrible things to befall another human (or animal) being?
I will admit to falling into a little of the drivel-driven commentary myself. Thanks PFT for the reminder that this site could be a better place to get and give information.

Strick says:Oct 5, 2010 12:24 PM

Good for you, Mike. it’s your site – run it the way you want and tell everybody who doesn’t like it to get bent.
One thing, though… if we’re kicking out the idiots, trolls and potty-mouths, who’s going to post anything positive about the Vikings?

richardb says:Oct 5, 2010 12:24 PM

Mike, are you cleaning up your yard because you’re getting National TV love?
You didn’t explicitly address my one question, can commenters still insult you and heap scorn on your analytical expertise?
I don’t recall ever doing it myself, but others are pretty funny taking their shots at you.

jj jones says:Oct 5, 2010 12:24 PM

Clearly, Jimmy Roberts didn’t like the comments on this site.

oa316ts says:Oct 5, 2010 12:25 PM

Please tell me this also includes the comments about how articles are only posted here or written because the author hates the team it’s written about…

PFTiswhatitis says:Oct 5, 2010 12:26 PM

Leave well enough alone….

stiller43 says:Oct 5, 2010 12:26 PM

And yet you can write whatever you want about soccer, politics, etc. when it has nothing to do with ProFootball…

Gravy Makes Sconnies Fat says:Oct 5, 2010 12:33 PM

florio, will you tell us when it’s time to gather and chant “all praise the dear leader!” to you? will we have to work in fields from now on? also, is thought-crime a bannable offense now too??

Gravy Makes Sconnies Fat says:Oct 5, 2010 12:37 PM

i guarantee every one of us will soon have a giant monitor installed with florio’s face watching us and condemning us to life in the salt mines if we say something bad.

Anarcho Purplism says:Oct 5, 2010 12:38 PM

Works for me.
I come to this site to find out whats the haps in the NFL & maybe make a comment or 2 on what’s going on regarding a particular game or in the NFL in general. I’m looking for deeper insight & discussion on the NFL.
There seem to be significant # of trolls & dbags that have nothing better to do than sling unimaginative insults.
Florio started this site & has squeezed his way into the NFL establishment. You’re likely to find him on numerous local sports-talk radio shows, NFL Network & now on SNF because of the NBC connection. Now that Florio has a wider-audience (many whom probably have more marketing appeal than the dbags living in mommy’s basement), he wants to class it up a notch. You retain that right. Not only is it classy, it will probably prove profitable long term.
If the trolls don’t like it, there are plenty of trashy sites for you on the web.
2 suggestions:
1- Rating comments
2- Ability to create profile, review historic discussions & comments that users have made.
This would increase community & ultimately site hits/length of time spent on site.
Years ago when my NBA team was making a historic run, I was a single sports-rube with nothing better to do that to work & watch sports, I really spent a lot of time here: forums.hoopshype.com/forums/
3- Once a community framework is built & you generate more user-oriented content, Florio could then extend his reach further and have “PFT Planet Correspondents” developed for each team. Much like Jim Rome relies on user-generated content for his nationally syndicated radio show.
Keep rockin’ Florio

BP says:Oct 5, 2010 12:38 PM

I am surprised this hasn’t happened sooner.
I’m sure there have been complaints. There always are.

ProfessorEmmitt says:Oct 5, 2010 12:42 PM

“Money changes everything”, just admit it, and move on from the pulpit….

paranoidandroid says:Oct 5, 2010 12:44 PM

Saints-America’sTeam says:
October 5, 2010 12:23 PM
This is a an interesting concept. “Banning” for “racist, homophobic, misogynistic, or other unacceptable content” is a great idea. I’m not sure how you do such a thing without reading every single one of these comments to find references to someone’s mama, or gayness, or race, but I like the idea.
I comment regularly on nola.com/saints and the oft-times drivel-ridden comments on PFT just don’t compare to the fan analysis you will see on the nola site. Really folks. You can analyze and learn by reading and posting what you saw or think you saw without trashing another opinion. How does it serve anyone to call names, say and wish horrible things to befall another human (or animal) being?
I will admit to falling into a little of the drivel-driven commentary myself. Thanks PFT for the reminder that this site could be a better place to get and give information.
____
i can’t wait for the saints to far back into anonymity so we don’t have to hear from folks like you. really, saints-america’s team?
if you want a high-brow experience why don’t you check out your local polo grounds or something.

Anarcho Purplism says:Oct 5, 2010 12:46 PM

The more I think about it, in lieu of a labor stoppage…….you should rapidly try to build a better community-oriented & user-generated content forum.
You may have less, “Jim Caldwell Stands by Timeout Decision” & “Trent Edwards Elevated to #2 QB” come spring.
We’ll certainly come for labor updates…….but there are only so many “Jerry Jones had a secret coffee-meeting with a NFLPA staffmember!” headlines we can stomach.
You hold the keys to the content…….but doesn’t NBC hold the checkbook? Work it Florio!!!

Madeira says:Oct 5, 2010 1:04 PM

@LuvThatDirtyWatah
Your comment wouldn’t last a minute on a site that had a user approval system for comments. You should thank Florio that he’s only interested in censoring offensive comments and not stupid ones.

BobsCountryBunker says:Oct 5, 2010 1:06 PM

Uh oh … I sent in a previous comment on this post that never made it past the sensor. It contained no foul language … just an obscure Seinfeld reference. I must be on Florio’s double secret probation already!
(I’m hoping that beating time worn cult classic references to death will get me on the “A” list)

palewook says:Oct 5, 2010 1:07 PM

ban some of the guys posting their opinions as factual stories.

froggy says:Oct 5, 2010 1:24 PM

Disqus has a ‘flagged for moderator’ function where if enough people click on an objectionable post, the post gets zapped. Simple, egalitarian and self-policing.
Honestly, some of the comments are funnier than anything Mike or Rosenthal have to offer in the foregoing. I appreciate what you guys do, but – no offense – your humor ain’t getting me through the workday. The peanut gallery is.
I think if you canvassed enough readers, you’d find that plenty skim the entry and go straight to the comments.

damnvarmint says:Oct 5, 2010 1:34 PM

They came for the “weiner” jokes, and I said nothing…………

Fordman84 says:Oct 5, 2010 1:35 PM

Any chance you can add back the voting buttons and hide the comments that fall below a certain threshold? Or even add an “ignore poster” feature?

shallowfan says:Oct 5, 2010 1:36 PM

“You hold the keys to the content…….but doesn’t NBC hold the checkbook? Work it Florio!!!”
I really don’t think Florio holds the keys to anything…NBC holds them now…along with a couple of other things that used to be attached to Florio’s body.

LowVoltage says:Oct 5, 2010 1:38 PM

Ahh…the dividend of success. Brag about how successful you are, and then tell readers that you don’t need all of us anyway, so you will start to selectively cull those readers who don’t meet your standards. Interpretation: PFT is getting thin skinned regarding criticism of the quality of this site, so PFT plans to get rid of those posters who ridicule the authors of this blog.

Kyle H says:Oct 5, 2010 1:38 PM

The corporate Master’s have spoken.
That is how big corporations operate when they make an acquisition.
“Hey Mike,” Says the NBC Exec during negotiations to buy PFT “Nothing is going to change… it is your show Baby! We just want to give you a big check and throw the Peacock up on your site… NO WORRIES Partner… your the boss.”
Now it goes more like this.
“Mr. Florio, clean up your comment section, otherwise we will get some other rummy in here to run this site.”

ppdoc13 says:Oct 5, 2010 1:39 PM

Good start. I will do my best to keep it to football. I get hot and bothered when the Cleveland and Pittsburgh fans start talking trash which just leads me into it. I have started it myself and it isn’t right. It’s ok to be funny. But there are a lot of people who really take it too far. Time to reel it in boys and girls. (except for deb)

Dave H says:Oct 5, 2010 2:13 PM

Thanks. The remarks are too often unintelligent and childish. I would like to see a rating system that allowed fans to evaluate each others posts. That would help weed out the worthless crap and promote intelligent football posts by adult NFL fans. Someone suggested another good idea, about backlogging comments of the more intelligent replies. I only comment when I have legitimate comments that add to or enlighten the topic. I appreciate reading a well thought out response from a fan that knows his team better than I do, so I can garner some valuable information, but it is tough to read through all the crap to get to these comments. Thanks for at least eliminating the worst of the worst, it is a great start, and may save the comments section before it is too late, and becomes unreadable.

I see this site has gone coporate. Welcome to some serious censorship brought to you by our friends of the Peacock Network. What is next, our breathing privilages taken away? Our fingers snapped the next time we insult someone? Our balls grabbed by an offensive lineman (oh wait, Shaun Smith has that corner marketed).

rgwillie says:Oct 5, 2010 4:00 PM

Thumbs up to this initiative. The user comments on this and most other sports-based websites are frequently semi-literate, ill-informed and painfully unfunny. Having to wade through less of this crap to find a coherent opinion is fine with me.

dcnflfan says:Oct 5, 2010 4:08 PM

While I found some of the comments offensive, I also thought this was one of the only sites that talked about every issue. Now it’s just another version of ESPN. I will certainly read it less in the future.

Pier588 says:Oct 5, 2010 4:12 PM

Thanks for this great thread you started Florio, 146 responses so far (not counting those you may have selectively deleted).
The question is – are you actually reading and heeding the responses in this thread or are you too busy dumping posts and banning their authors?
It looks like an over whelming majority of the PFT minions are in favor of a return of comment ratings (they should have never gone away to begin with) as a method of self policing the site.
So what now Florio – are you going to continue to keep ignoring the calls for comment ratings or are you going to finally, after 15 1/2 months, seriously consider doing something about it? Please, say something – anything, even if its “no” about the comment ratings and their resurrection or continued permanent hiatus.
Does this apply to CFT as well or just PFT? There is no mention of this thread over there.

Midway Monster says:Oct 5, 2010 4:16 PM

You said it Mike.
“The commenters represent a very small percentage of the total audience.”
Get rid of the comments then. You just said they dont matter because now you are such a huge success. The truth of that is that there are quite a few articles that I wouldnt even go to if there WEREN’T comments. It seems like I have read your response to many posters on a later articles and basically admitted that the interaction from the commenters drives your postings as well. Yes, this interaction certainly spurned some durogatory remarks. However, since I am an adult I can simply ignore what I dont like to read. Good or bad I would take the intimacy between the commenters and your site anyday over your policing and your “class up” of comments.
NBC put down the mandate and you sold out. Dont worry though since they put you on TV and you have been able to advance your career. Good for you. They put your site on a national level and can promote it that way. I dont blame you. At least not as long as you have enough integrity to admit you are a sell out. You arent classing up anything on your own. You are just following orders. A sad day.

Unwashed Villager says:Oct 5, 2010 4:34 PM

…And don’t let the door hit ya
Where the Good Lord split ya

USMC Ret. says:Oct 5, 2010 4:54 PM

Nicely Done, I am sure like a lot of other users were getting tired of some of the comments made on this board.

USMC Ret. says:Oct 5, 2010 4:55 PM

Nicely Done!!
Perhaps now we can focus on commentary related to sports as this site was intedned to be.

rarson says:Oct 5, 2010 5:02 PM

It comes down to this: if you can’t be bothered to ignore childish posts, then you aren’t acting like an adult. If you think the comment section is so full of drivel, then you shouldn’t read it. It’s as simple as that.

SoFlor Steeler says:Oct 5, 2010 5:10 PM

Can we assume that this will include the few folks who insist on slandering athletes/others – yes I know this is the internet and athletes are public figures, but there are some very sick folks who have nothing to say other than Ben R = R_____
This is getting old and it is wrong…
Sometimes you are better off WITHOUT a certain type of customer/commenter…
Will be interesting to see how this works out…

shiftyshellshocked says:Oct 5, 2010 5:16 PM

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Midway Monster says:Oct 5, 2010 5:17 PM

USMC Ret. says:
“Nicely Done, I am sure like a lot of other users were getting tired of some of the comments made on this board.”
Yeah, as an American defender of freedom you shouldnt have to tolerate stuff you dont like… right?

funi says:Oct 5, 2010 5:19 PM

Did this come down from Tony Dungy??

Gautam says:Oct 5, 2010 5:25 PM

No idea why but people sure feel like lions by making homophobic comments on the internet.

Pokey Allen's Ghost says:Oct 5, 2010 6:07 PM

IMHO
@PFT: either moderate your own site or allow for community self-moderation.
stop doing such a poor job with the former and expect as higher standard for the latter.
if this is your personal platform than actually moderate the comments before the fact or simply disallow them.
or don’t bait the flamers.
if this is a forum then allow the good with the bad. you are not the only ones keen enough to separate the wheat from the chaff. trying to have it both ways only hastens your audience’s departure.
An alternative: get some professional IT help with your NBC/Sprint cash and redesign your site. being ubiquitous is great for you and the whole site (congrats, btw). Good fortune comes with an expectation of quality and consistency for the product your readers/viewers expect. you are spread a little thin at the moment and the quality control of your content is lacking.
i am not a fan of personal attacks on the admins, users, or subjects of this message board. and it isn’t about the 1st amendment either.
i guess what i am asking for is some sense of equity. i’ll make an effort to be civil if you all at PFT will make an effort to deliver a fresh and consistent product.
i wont hold my breath.

skp14 says:Oct 5, 2010 6:33 PM

GRRRREAT Decision!!!
“Wise men speak because they have something to say, fools because they have to say something.”
— Plato

fantasy11 says:Oct 5, 2010 6:37 PM

If a user would get kicked off for not spelling words correctly than nobody wouldn’t be a Packer Fan on here. I am a Packer Fan. HAHA

froggy says:Oct 5, 2010 6:41 PM

I would rather read a bunch of Rex Ryan fat jokes (which aren’t hurting anybody) than another tired screed by Roethlisberger’s enablers. But that’s just me.
My troll might be the guy who entertains/elucidates you. The clown who makes me laugh might be your worst troll. It’s all relative. You’re killing your golden goose by excessively moderating these comments. It’s football, for heaven’s sake, not the Middle East crisis. Don’t make this more serious than it ever needs to be.

archihouse says:Oct 5, 2010 6:44 PM

am i still alive?

rcthe7th says:Oct 5, 2010 7:00 PM

Sportingnews did this a few years back and now that site is a shadow of its former self. It’s all downhill from here. Poor people can’t handle insults and swearing. Pathetic.

Gene Simmon's Tongue says:Oct 5, 2010 7:11 PM

This explains why the comment I made while defending my viewpoint was never posted this last Sunday. I admit, I stooped to my attackers level. Actually, I am glad to see this site maturing. I hope the reporting standards are raised as well. Keep up the good work!!!

johnthorpe says:Oct 5, 2010 7:43 PM

Are the Lord of No Rings references still in order?
Because that’s comedic gold. And, it’s not like the Chargers will be winning anything, any time soon.

Neverend says:Oct 5, 2010 7:43 PM

I just signed in here a couple of days ago and was attracted to the comments more than the site. Yea, the site is good to read for instant football news but the users are what makes it interesting. To take it away from this site is awful. Yes, there will still be comments but do we seriously want this place to turn into Candy Land where everyone is all friendly and cuddly to eachother? No debates? No negativity? No differing opinions?
I agree on the vulgarity and hatred of things beyond football, but removing anything else otherwise because you ‘personally’ deem it ‘crap’ or ‘inappropriate’ is unfair, in my view. Also Florio, I personally would like you to do more to feature the comments on this blog. Y’know, try to make a ‘featured comments’ section to highlight the best opinions on this site, please.
Btw Florio, I think you can limit the hatred on this site if you shy away from reporting things about homosexuality, politics, and religion. Seriously. You do it every now and then which is going to offend some peeps because of the commenters insulting people over their sexual orientation or religion. That’s my two cents on the siutaion. Hopefully, however, this comment doesn’t get denied

MrHumble says:Oct 5, 2010 7:46 PM

Great move Florio, it’s about time…….although, it might mean the end of Packer posters as they can’t say 3 words without one of them being a swear word, misogynistic (packer fans are running for their 50 year old dictionaries), homophobic or racist. It’s a good thing you are a part-time lawyer Florio as Packer fans will probably think they have sufficient grounds for a discrimination lawsuit.

bigtrav425 says:Oct 5, 2010 7:57 PM

Horrible choice!…..Freedom of speech ring a bell??..But if your going to do that you might want to step your game up on your writing and reporting ,especially with the same shit all the time with certain players and teams

queenie says:Oct 5, 2010 8:07 PM

Words mean nothing until you give them meaning…you know sticks and stones and all that…..you all need to grow a set….I could loan you one of mine as I can easily grow another one!

johnnythek says:Oct 5, 2010 8:10 PM

Hi, I’m George Carlin, and I’m being sent back from the dead to debut my new routine, “Seven Words You Can’t Say on PFTV”.

moezilla says:Oct 5, 2010 8:20 PM

I think I may have been banned already. Not even a little good natured trash talking?
Well good gilly gosh and praise the Lord!
Is that better?

In & Out Burger says:Oct 5, 2010 8:22 PM

“please don’t bother to threaten to never return to the site if we don’t un-ban you.”
Reverse psychology. Just like Dr. Tobias Fuenke would use.

In & Out Burger says:Oct 5, 2010 8:25 PM

Ok, before people go all 1st amendment on Florio, lets remember that this is his site. Nobody is bothered by his general…being…than me, but he has every right to express his own free speech by banning comments on his site. People have pointed out, and they might be right, that he is killing his golden goose, but again, that is his right.

Calistin says:Oct 5, 2010 8:29 PM

But where will the Vikings “fans” post now?
They don’t even talk about football, it’s all homophobic, ignorant, namecalling in most of their posts.
Bout time.
Bye Pervy, Contra, Gravy, Mr Humble and all you other worthless Viking Trolls.

Backinthesaddle says:Oct 5, 2010 8:32 PM

You previously asserted that this very action would not happen when NBC took over. I remember saying to myself at that time…baloney…the big media PC Police will never allow it. I knew it would happen. It was inevidable.
It’s OK though. There are some real sleazy types posting on here and now maybe we can keep the lurid stuff out.

Backinthesaddle says:Oct 5, 2010 8:32 PM

You previously asserted that this very action would not happen when NBC took over. I remember saying to myself at that time…baloney…the big media PC Police will never allow it. I knew it would happen. It was inevidable.
It’s OK though. There are some real sleazy types posting on here and now maybe we can keep the lurid stuff out.

Calistin says:Oct 5, 2010 8:40 PM

I would love to apply for the job of comment moderator.
I love reading all the hateful posts. It’s so funny when people take a game so seriously and get so worked up over others “being mean.” Most of those comments come from people that aren’t intelligent/savvy enough in their football knowledge.
PFT comments over the last 4 years have grown my internet skin thicker than ever, and made me realize 2 things.
1. Anything said on the internet doesn’t make a difference in your life unless you let it.
2. Stand up for what you believe in and don’t back down, but don’t be a jerk about it.

Scheer1852 says:Oct 5, 2010 8:55 PM

you guys should bring back comment ratings

Neverend says:Oct 5, 2010 8:55 PM

I just signed in here a couple of days ago and was attracted to the comments more than the site. Yea, the site is good to read for instant football news but the users are what makes it interesting. To take an ounce of it away from this site is saddening. Yes, there will still be good comments but do we seriously want this place to turn into Candy Land where everyone is all friendly and cuddly to eachother? No debates? No negativity? No differing opinions?
I agree on the vulgarity and hatred of things beyond football, but removing anything else otherwise because you ‘personally’ deem it ‘crap’ or ‘inappropriate’ is unfair, in my view. Also Florio, I personally would like you to do more to feature the comments on this blog. Y’know, try to make a ‘featured comments’ section to highlight the best opinions on this site, please.
Btw Florio, I think you can limit the hatred on this site if you shy away from reporting things about politics and religion and the ‘S’ word which I can’t say because my comment won’t go through. You do it every now and then which is going to offend some peeps because of the commenters insulting people over their orientation or religion. That’s my two cents on the siutaion. Hopefully, however, this comment doesn’t get denied

KyleOrtonsArm says:Oct 5, 2010 9:01 PM

I for one find rude and frivolous comments to be incredibly distracting for the millions of people who come here to worship Kyle Orton. Thanks for cleaning this up Florio.

FairHooker says:Oct 5, 2010 9:10 PM

I agree with the whole NBC angle. NBC clearly cannot direct traffic to PFT and have some of those old style comments on here.
As long as you don’t say anything you wouldn’t say in a job interview, the comments here will be fine.

The Terminator says:Oct 5, 2010 9:25 PM

WTF!
It’s not like anyone’s yelling “fire” in a crowded theatre for crying out loud….Big Brother Go Away!
I wonder if this has anything to do with the “sprint” crap that’s on here now?
Gonna miss reading all the crazy comments…some were pretty GD funny….gosh can I type “GD” without getting banned from here…..WTF indeed!

Bigbluefan says:Oct 5, 2010 9:35 PM

I guess this will get me banned
NBC is following in the foot steps of there most loved ruler in the whitehouse and banning and mind control George orwell was only off by a few years.
And how about them Bears !!!!!
Surprise surprise surprise

Mrsteve says:Oct 5, 2010 10:26 PM

There goes all my fun.
The Saints fans will all be gone.

jebdamone says:Oct 5, 2010 10:27 PM

i’m fine with abiding by the rules of P.C within reason…i have no desire to ever offend anyone, but the thing i love most about this site is the fact that i can cuss on here if the mood strikes me. please have a little leeway with me on this.

As a sports blogger who insists on civility, I welcome the changes, Mike.
Now if you would rename “T**d Watch,” I’d be overjoyed.

Floriosadouchebag says:Oct 5, 2010 10:56 PM

i will be nice from now on, except to those front running philly fans who got their asses dominated by mcnabb and the redskins.

buzzbissinger says:Oct 6, 2010 12:13 AM

Bravo Florio!!!!
Being one of those who swore I’d never come back (for the exact reason of this article) I commend you.
Thank you, my crow tastes good too.

rcunningham says:Oct 6, 2010 12:19 AM

Get rid of JimmySmith then, all his comments are is racist, homophobic diatribe.

toughlovefan says:Oct 6, 2010 4:13 AM

Ban favre haters…they don’t have anything relevant to say anyways other that “favre sucks”, cuz they couldn’t say it last season

ICEWALKER says:Oct 6, 2010 6:09 AM

It’s about time. Thank you.
Comments that talk a little trash or poke fun at another fan base I can handle. Trash talk about another person’s race, creed, or sexual direction is uncalled for.
I’m not going anywhere.

ipeefreely says:Oct 6, 2010 10:44 AM

If I post something about the 0-3gles, is that ban-worthy?

turbodog says:Oct 6, 2010 1:00 PM

Where will Viking fans spew their dribble now?
Oh The Humanity

CharmCityRavens says:Oct 6, 2010 3:09 PM

This is most welcome news. Kudos.
Thank you for this progress.
Reading grown adults spew venom like children over a football game where they are nothing more than spectators while others play the actual games is beyond pathetic.

TheSleepness says:Oct 6, 2010 3:49 PM

thanks…the comments became unbearable…you got a good thing here..no one else updates their site as quickly as you guys..they are stuck in the 20th century…i like this..the commentators acted like children (most of them) so i’m all for a more pleasureable experience.

mcannan4547 says:Oct 6, 2010 4:37 PM

i would just like to use this to say:
Your website is the 1st place i go to. Even before porn. Love PFT

rmm9090 says:Oct 6, 2010 4:48 PM

Hey Florio, maybe you should clean your own house before asking others to clean theirs. A lot of your articles are basically crap on a keyboard. Get to some real football news, will you?
I guess getting snookered by that fake news tweet has finally caught up to you.
Yeah, I know, ban my azzzz!

PatricktheDookie says:Oct 6, 2010 5:46 PM

Way to sell out, Florio. Way to sell out.

Steeler fans are tools says:Oct 6, 2010 6:45 PM

thats the reason i stopped going to nfl.com. this will get boring right quick. who’s going to call out the inbred steeler fans! ughhhh!!!

AlphaQ2 says:Oct 6, 2010 7:42 PM

This is just lip service Florio and you know it. Your site has a section called “TURD WATCH”. I guess what’s good for the goose isn’t good for the gander.

Ccoolliinn says:Oct 6, 2010 9:21 PM

this is a good move. it will remove some of the uneducated visitors–which is a great thing.

CaptainMarvel says:Oct 6, 2010 11:40 PM

Mr. Florio, are you telling me some people actually write you to whine about the comments??? Oh no, profanity, we can’t have that. Let’s make this site boring like all the other sites.

Zoot Allures says:Oct 6, 2010 11:43 PM

Thumbs up !
# ncsteeler says: October 5, 2010 9:37 AM
Could you also ban: your grammar is imperfect; this column is boring; you shouldn’t have written a column on this topic; I’m the first to comment; etc?
# Everybody Loves Mike Florio says: October 5, 2010 10:00 AM
Yeah, I’ve noticed that about 85% of the comments on here are about someone misspelling something, be it Florio, Rosenthal, or another poster. Personally, I find those comments a lot more annoying than the profane ones. Also, since you’re gonna be trimming down the comments, is there any way you can post them more quickly?
imabigdog says: October 5, 2010 10:40 AM
Sad day for the PFT readers who where around in the beginning. A Highlight of the of the comments sections was the originality of the comments. Where some racist, homophobic, misogynistic? Sure, but more on the stereotype level then the insulting level. If PFT is going to block comments that contain vulgar or derogatory words, than yes it is the right thing to do. But if the ban entails banning “…not that there is anything wrong with that” (Seinfeld Homosexual reference) than all this has become is a save you’re a$$ corporate blog.
PFT Early days were the best,seems like so long ago. R.I.P PFT

djmoore914 says:Oct 7, 2010 11:10 AM

I’m sorry. I won’t rag on Greggg as much as I usually do. I will only provide constructive criticism. Sorry Gregggy.

JoeFlaccosUniBrow says:Oct 7, 2010 2:03 PM

What about comment rating like you had back-in-the-day?

Pervy xx says:Oct 7, 2010 7:22 PM

Ah…I just seen this story and feel like a friend died……
Let me try: Hey you Packer nincompoops, your Qb has bad hair and WI people are all goobers. Woodsen can’t………
…never mind,i can’t do this….Pervy has let the building.
RIP Viking-Packer threads(the best entertainment on the web)

ACS2 says:Oct 7, 2010 7:51 PM

Pervy’s drunk again. Lock up the sheep.

Pervy xx says:Oct 7, 2010 9:04 PM

Funny you say that ACS2…..yo girl says “Bahhhh” and “Oh f@ck” at the strangest times…turrets or am i just talented???

Pervy xx says:Oct 7, 2010 9:37 PM

Tourette’s ACS…i know you are the spelling police…

hockref says:Oct 8, 2010 11:36 AM

@ACS2 that is the last comment like that we will see on this site, its just being allowed to let us think they will continue to allow some entertainment on this site

Pier588 says:Oct 8, 2010 12:25 PM

This thread is up to 210 comments now – most agreeing that a return of the comment ratings would help.
So what has Florio had to say about this matter since he posted this as the lead off story 4 days ago? Nada (so far) – not even an update or a new thread continuing to address the issue.
Come on Mike – you lit this fuse – lets hear some follow up or at least an update.
Are the comment ratings coming back as PFT Nation has clearly ask for – or are you just going to leave us dangling?

ACS2 says:Oct 8, 2010 1:10 PM

hockref says:
October 8, 2010 11:36 AM
@ACS2 that is the last comment like that we will see on this site, its just being allowed to let us think they will continue to allow some entertainment on this site
———–
No, they’re just letting the factual posts get through.